State of New-Hampshire. In Committee of Safety,
Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation for a
general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received
from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith
printed...

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY,
EXETER, November 1, 1782.

ORDERED,

THAT the following Proclamation for a general
THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November [instant?], received from
the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the
several worshipping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended
religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour
thereon.

M. WEARE, President.
By the United States in Congress assembled.

PROCLAMATION.
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only
to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for
his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public
manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for
great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore
the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration
the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the
important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy
and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the
course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the
public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause;
the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between
them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts
of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United
States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence
by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great
and lasting advantage to these States: ----- Do hereby recommend to the
inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several
States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation
of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn
THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to
all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful
obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his
influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great
foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day
of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two,
and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty
God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore
His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their
joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States
a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging
with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially
by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government
for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November
next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that
great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that
was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto
Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the
people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal
and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in
the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility,
union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational
manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government
for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately
instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed,
and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in
general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to
confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon
our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public
or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly
and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people
by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws,
discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all
sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and
to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge
and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among
them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal
prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d dy of October, A.D.
1789.

(signed) G. Washington

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving
Proclamation*

The year that is drawing towards its close,
has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget
the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so
extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even
the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence
of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and
severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke
their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been
maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed
everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre
has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful
industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle,
or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the
mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even
more abundantly than heretofore. Population has
steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp,
the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness
of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years
with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any
mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of
the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath
nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they
should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart
and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens
in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those
who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday
of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father
who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering
up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and
blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness
and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows,
orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we
are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty
Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be
consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony,
tranquillity and Union.

* from the collection of Lincoln's papers in the Library of America
series, Vol II, pp. 520-521

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with
benefits ..."
(Psalm 68:19)

I. Gratitude is an attitude: a personal quality that molds us and
shapes our lives  not just something we do or say.

B. Some were even "appointed" to the office
of giving thanks  indicating its great importance.

1 Chronicles 16:4 (the Levites)
1 Chronicles 16:41 And with them were Heman and Jeduthin,
and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name,
to give thanks
to the Lord...
2 Chronicles 20:21 (ahead of the battle)
2 Chronicles 31:2

C. In the New Testament, "the fruit
of our lips" is a type of offering or sacrifice to God.

Hebrews 13:15 "... let us offer the sacrifice of praise
to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks"

D. God desires genuine gratefulness:
from the heart.

Psalms 54:6 Willingly I will sacrifice to Thee;
I will give
thanks to Thy name, O Lord, for it is good.
Psalms 86:12 (cp. Psalms 9:1; 138:1) I will give
thanks...
with all my heart...
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to
himself, God I thank thee that I am not like other
people... (Note the
motive/attitude)

Matthew 11:25, 26; 26:27, 28
Matthew 15:36 ...and taking the seven loaves, He gave
thanks...
Mark 14:23 And when he had taken a cup, and given thanks...
Luke 22:17, 19
John 6:11, 23; 11:41

B. Daniel was obedient to be thankful even when
forbidden by the authorities.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was
signed, he entered
his house (now in his roof chamber he had
windows open toward Jerusalem);
and he continued kneeling
on his knees three times a day, praying and giving
thanks
before his God, as he had been doing previously.

C. It is "good" for us.

Psalms 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord ...

1. It is a mighty tool in
ushering us into the Presence of God.

2 Chronicles 5:12, 13
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with
thanksgiving...
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and
into his courts
with praise: be thankful unto him, and
bless his name.
Psalms 140:1 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto
thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

2. It causes us to abound
in the faith.

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished
in the faith, as
ye have been taught, abounding therein
with thanksgiving.

3. It yields the peace of
God in our hearts and minds.

Philippians 4:6, 7

D. It honors and magnifies God.

Psalms 50:23
Psalms 69:30

E. It is God's will.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is
the will of
God...

F. It is a good spiritual indicator of our spiritual
condition.

1. The wicked are ungrateful:
"For ... they did not honor him as God,
or give thanks; but they became futile
in their speculations, and
their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:21)

1 Chronicles 16:8 (cp. Psalms 105:1) Give thanks unto
the Lord, ... make
known his deeds among the people
Psalms 9:1 ... I will give thanks to the Lord with all my
heart; I will tell
of all thy wonders.
Psalms 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of
thanksgiving, and tell of
all thy wondrous works.
Psalms 105:1, 2 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon
his name: make known
his deeds among the people ...
talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Psalms 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of
thanksgiving, and
declare his works with rejoicing
Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks
likewise unto the Lord,
and spake of him to all ...
Luke 17:12-18

2. In music.

1 Chronicles 16:7
2 Chronicles 5:12, 13

a. With
song.

2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto
thee, O Lord, among the
heathen, and I will sing
praises unto thy name.
Nehemiah 12:8, 27 And the Levites...in charge of the
songs of thanksgiving
... with hymns of thanksgiving
and with songs ...
Nehemiah 12:46 ...in ancient times, there were leaders
of the singers, songs
of praise and hymns of
thanksgiving to God.
Psalms 28:7 (cp. Psalms 7:17; 138:1) ...with my song
I shall thank Him.
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with
thanksgiving, and make a
joyful noise unto him with
psalms
Isaiah 51:3 ...joy and gladness shall be found therein,
thanksgiving, and
the voice of melody.

b. With
musical instruments.

Nehemiah 12:27 Now at the dedication of the wall of
Jerusalem they sought
out the Levites ... so that they
might celebrate the dedication with gladness,
with
hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the
accompaniment of cymbals,
harps, and lyres
Psalms 33:2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre...
Psalms 147:7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing
praise upon the harp....

3. With prayer.

Nehemiah 11:17 ...the leader in beginning the
thanksgiving at prayer...
Ephesians 1:16 ...giving thanks for you, while making
mention of you in my
prayers
Philippians 4:6 Be careful (anxious; worried) for nothing;
but in every thing
by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto
God.
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God, ... praying
always for you
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the
same with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for
all of you, making mention
of you in our prayers.
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of
thanks, be made for all men.
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God... as I constantly remember
you in my prayers night
and day
Philemon 1:4 I thank my God always, making mention
of you in my prayers

4. With
shouts of joy.

Psalms 100:1 (cp. Jeremiah 30:19)

B. Publicly.

Hebrews 12:28 ...let us show gratitude...

1. Among the nations
(heathen).

Psalms 57:9 (cp. Psalms 18:49; 108:3) I will give thanks
to Thee, O Lord,
among the peoples; I will sing
praises to Thee among the nations.

2. In the company of God's
people.

1 Chronicles 16:4, 7; 23:30
2 Chronicles 31:2 ...to minister and to give thanks and to
praise in the
gates of the camp of the Lord.
Psalms 11:1; 22:22, 25
Psalms 35:18 I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation...
Psalms 42:4 These things I remember...I used to go
along with the throng
and lead them... with the voice
of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping
festival
Psalms 52:9 I will give Thee thanks forever ... in the
presence of thy godly
ones.
Psalms 109:30 (cp. Psalms 105:1, 2) With my mouth I will
give thanks abundantly
to the Lord; and in the midst of
many I will praise Him.
Psalms 111:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,
in the company
of the upright and in the assembly
Acts 27:35 And having said this, he took bread and gave
thanks to God in
the presence of all...
1 Corinthians 14:14-17 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit
only, how [they]
say the Amen at your giving of thanks...?
For you are giving thanks well
enough, but the other man
is not edified.

C. Privately, at home.

Daniel 2:23; 6:10

IV. When should we give thanks?

A. In every circumstance.

Ephesians 5:20 (cp. Ephesians 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:2)
Giving thanks always
for all things unto God...
Philippians 4:6 ... in everything ...
Philippians 4:11 ... for I have learned, in whatsoever state
I am, therewith
to be content.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is
the will of
God ...
2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13

Daniel 6:10 ... kneeling on his knees three times a day,
praying and giving
thanks ...

3. Every morning and every
evening.

1 Chronicles 23:30 And they are to stand every morning
to thank and to praise
the Lord, and likewise at evening.

V. For what should we give thanks?

A. For victory.

Psalms 18:47-49 It is God that avengeth me ... He delivereth
me from mine
enemies ... Therefore will I give thanks....
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us
the victory...
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always
causeth us to triumph
in Christ ...

1. Over sin.

Romans 7:23-25

2. Over death and the grave.

1 Corinthians 15:57

B. For his goodness and mercy (forgiveness).

1 Chronicles 16:34-35 O give thanks to the Lord, for He
is good; for His
lovingkindness is everlasting.
1 Chronicles 16:41 ... give thanks to the Lord because
his lovingkindness
is everlasting.
Ezra 3:11 And they sang, praising and giving thanks to the
Lord, saying,
For He is good...
Psalms 54:6 ...I will give thanks to Thy name, O Lord, for
it is good.
Psalms 100:4, 5; 106:1; 107:1, 8, 15, 21, 31
Psalms 136:1-3 (cp. Psalms 106:1; 107:1, 8, 15, 31;
118:1, 28, 29) O give
thanks unto the Lord; for he is
good: for his mercy endureth forever...
Isaiah 12:1 I will give thanks to thee, O Lord; For although
thou wast angry
with me, thine anger is turned away,
and thou dost comfort me.
Jeremiah 33:11

C. For his protection.

2 Samuel 22:49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies:
thou also hast
lifted me up on high above them that rose up
against me: thou hast delivered
me from the violent man.

D. For his holiness and faithfulness.

Psalms 30:4 (cp. Psa 97:12) ... give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness.
Isaiah 25:1 I will exalt thee, I will give thanks to thy name;
for thou hast
worked wonders, plans formed long ago,
with perfect faithfulness.

E. For the wonders of creation and life.

Psalms 139:14 I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully
made; wonderful are thy works...

F. For his truth, his righteous ordinances and
judgments.

Psalms 119:7, 62; 138:1, 2

G. For food, drink and other provisions.

Matthew 15:36 ...and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks...
Mark 14:23 And when he had taken a cup, and given thanks...
Luke 22:17, 19 (cp. 1 Cor 11:24)
John 6:23 (cp. John 6:11) ...the place where they ate the bread
after the
Lord had given thanks.
Acts 27:35 ...he took bread and gave thanks to God in the
presence
of all...
Romans 14:6 ... he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he
gives thanks
to God...
1 Corinthians 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness....
1 Timothy 4:3, 4 ... [Some advocate] abstaining from foods,
which God has
created to be gratefully shared.... For
everything created by God is good,
and nothing is to be
rejected, if it is received with gratitude
2 Corinthians 9:11, 12 you will be enriched in everything for
all liberality,
which through us is producing thanksgiving to
God. For the ministry of this
service is not only fully
supplying the needs of the saints, but is also
overflowing
through many thanksgivings to God.

H. For healing.

Luke 17:12-18 and he fell on his face at his feet, giving thanks
to Him...

I. For the evidence of God at work in the lives
of God's people.

Psalms 109:30, 31
1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf for
the grace of God
which is given you...
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all
of you, making mention
of you in our prayers.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to
God for you, brethren
beloved by the Lord, because
God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation
through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
Ephesians 1:16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while
making mention of
you in my prayers
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God, the Father ... praying
always for you
1 Timothy 1:3 I thank God... as I constantly remember you
in my prayers night
and day
Philemon 1:4 I thank my God always, making mention of
you in my prayers

1. For their zeal.

2 Corinthians 8:16

2. For their love and growing
faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to
God for you, brethren,
as is only fitting, because your
faith is greatly enlarged, and the love
of each one of
you toward one another grows ever greater

3. For their generosity in
donating toward the work of God.

1 Chronicles 29:6-14

4. For their acceptance of
truth and obedience to the teaching.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ...we also constantly thank God
that when you received
from us the word of God's
message, you accepted it...
Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that ... you became
obedient from the heart
to that form of teaching to
which you were committed

5. For the proclamation of
their faith into all the world.

Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ
for you all, because
your faith is being proclaimed
throughout the whole world.

J. For spiritual gifts (i.e., speaking in tongues)
and ministry.

1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more
than you all.
1 Timothy 1:12

Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us
with benefits...

B. Thank him no matter what happens.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I
have learned,
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
1 Timothy 6:6, 8 But godliness with contentment is great
gain.... And having
food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye
have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee...

VII. This is what we will be doing "forever" in eternity (Psalms 30:12; 44:8;
45:17; 52:9; 79:13)  even as the angels and 420 elders in heaven at
the reign of God (Revelation 4:9; 7:11, 12; 11:16, 17).